Recording device and method, salvage device and method, and program

ABSTRACT

A recording apparatus, a recording method, a salvage apparatus, a salvage method, and a program for reading data from a recording medium that has failed to normally end a recording process. Each of salvage markers contains a recognition pattern for recognizing a salvage marker, and identification information for identifying files to which audio data “Audio”, and video data “Video” belong. If the recording process fails to end in a normal state, the salvage markers are detected from the recognition pattern contained in the salvage markers, and the file having the audio data and the video data belonging thereto is identified by the file identification information. The present invention is applicable to a video processing apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recordingmethod, a salvage apparatus, a salvage method, and a program and, inparticular, to a recording apparatus, a recording method, a salvageapparatus, a salvage method, and a program for reading data from arecording medium that has failed to normally end a recording process.

BACKGROUND ART

Tape and optical disks are known as recording media for recording videopicked up by a camcorder. When data of picked-up video (and picked-upaudio) (in the following discussion, the video data and the audio dataare collectively referred to as AV data) is recorded onto arandom-access recording medium such as an optical disk, the video (andaudio) is more quickly replayed from a desired position than in thecounterpart recorded on tape.

The AV data recorded on the recording medium such as the optical disk ismanaged by a file system. To record the AV data onto a recording medium,a recording apparatus generates a file name to uniquely determine aseries of AV data. After completing the recording of the AV data ontothe recording medium, the recording apparatus records information suchas a file name and recording position of the AV data on the recordingmedium onto the recording medium in a predetermined managementstructure. The file system contains the file name and the informationcontaining the recording position of the AV data on the recordingmedium.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-88821discloses an optical disk in which management data containing addressinformation, such as a record start position and a record end positionof each file, is recorded.

The data recorded onto the recording medium such as an optical disk ismanaged by the file system. For example, to replay the AV data from therecording medium, a replay apparatus acquires a file name of at leastone file recorded on the recording medium, and information such as arecording position of each file on the recording medium by referencingthe file system recorded on the recording medium. When a user instructsthe replay apparatus to replay a desired file, the replay apparatusdetermines the recording position of the designated file based on thefile system, reads the AV data from the recording position, and replaysthe AV data. The recording position is not limited to a single position,and the AV data is sometimes split at a plurality of recording positionson the recording medium. In such a case, the file system stores aplurality of recording positions for the single file. Even when the filewhich is distributed among the plurality of recording areas is replayed,all data distributed is read based on the file system.

However, while a known recording apparatus records the AV data on arandom-access optical disk, power to the recording apparatus may beinterrupted and a recording process may be suspended. If the recordingprocess is interrupted, the replay apparatus is unable to recognizes aseries of AV data that is recorded until the interruption of therecording process because the recording of the file name and theinformation such as the recording position are not yet complete. Theseries of AV data is not replayed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the above drawback,and it is an object of the present invention to allow recorded data tobe read even if a recording process fails to normally end.

A recording apparatus of the present invention includes generator meansfor generating a marker that contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of segment files in which at least one of the filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage (restoration) process of a file that is recorded on therecording medium but in an unrecognizable state as a file, and recordingmeans for recording the segment file and the marker onto the recordingmedium so that the segment file and the marker are arranged on therecording medium in a predetermined order.

The generator means may generate the marker that contains the salvageprocessing information for each segment file of the plurality of segmentfiles in which each file of the plurality of files is segmented, and therecording means may record the plurality of segment files correspondingto each file of the plurality of files and the marker on the recordingmedium in the predetermined order.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating to arecording area of each of the segment files.

The salvage processing information may contain type informationindicating the type of the data.

The salvage processing information may contain information foridentifying each of the files.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment file arranged subsequent to the marker containing thesalvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment file arranged prior to the marker containing the salvageprocessing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment files arranged prior to and subsequent to the markercontaining the salvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating to arecording position, on the recording medium, of a marker that isrecorded on the recording medium subsequent to the marker containing thesalvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain time informationcorresponding to a timing of the recording of the marker.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe recording order of the marker.

The salvage processing information may contain information indicating aposition, on the recording medium, of a defect taking place at therecording of the segment file arranged prior to the marker containingthe salvage processing information.

A recording method of the present invention includes a generating stepfor generating a marker that contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of segment files in which at least one of the filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, and a recording step for recordingthe segment file and the marker onto the recording medium so that thesegment file and the marker are arranged on the recording medium in apredetermined order.

The marker that contains the salvage processing information for eachsegment file of the plurality of segment files in which each file of theplurality of files is segmented may be generated in the generating step,and the plurality of segment files corresponding to each file of theplurality of files and the marker may be recorded on the recordingmedium in the predetermined order in the recording step.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating to arecording area of each of the segment files.

The salvage processing information may contain type informationindicating the type of the data.

The salvage processing information may contain information foridentifying each of the files.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment file arranged subsequent to the marker containing thesalvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment file arranged prior to the marker containing the salvageprocessing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe segment files arranged prior to and subsequent to the markercontaining the salvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating to arecording position, on the recording medium, of a marker that isrecorded on the recording medium subsequent to the marker containing thesalvage processing information.

The salvage processing information may contain time informationcorresponding to a timing of the recording of the marker.

The salvage processing information may contain information relating tothe recording order of the marker.

The salvage processing information may contain information indicating aposition, on the recording medium, of a defect taking place at therecording of the segment file arranged prior to the marker containingthe salvage processing information.

A first program of the present invention causes a computer to execute arecording method and the recording method includes a generating step forgenerating a marker that contains a recognition pattern set beforehandfor each of segment files in which at least one of the files issegmented, and salvage processing information that is used in a salvageprocess of a file that is recorded on the recording medium but in anunrecognizable state as a file, and a recording control step forcontrolling the recording of the segment file and the marker on therecording medium so that the segment file and the marker are arranged onthe recording medium in a predetermined order.

A salvage apparatus of the present invention includes determining meansfor determining whether a recording process for recording a marker and asegment file on a recording medium in a predetermined order is normallycompleted, wherein the marker contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one of filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, detecting means for detecting atleast one of the markers recorded on the recording medium based on therecognition pattern if the determining means determines that therecording of the file to the recording medium is not normally completed,identifying means for identifying data formed of the same file based onthe salvage processing information contained in the marker, andregistering means for registering the data identified by the identifyingmeans as the data of the same file in a file system.

A salvage method of the present invention includes a determining stepfor determining whether a recording process for recording a marker and asegment file on a recording medium in a predetermined order is normallycompleted, wherein the marker contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one of filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, a detecting step for detecting atleast one of the markers recorded on the recording medium based on therecognition pattern if the determining step determines that therecording of the file to the recording medium is not normally completed,an identifying step for identifying data formed of the same file basedon the salvage processing information contained in the marker, and aregistering step for registering the data identified in the identifyingstep as the data of the same file in a file system.

A second program of the present invention causes a computer to perform asalvage method, and the salvage method includes a determining step fordetermining whether a recording process for recording a marker and asegment file on a recording medium in a predetermined order is normallycompleted, wherein the marker contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one of filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, a detecting step for detecting atleast one of the markers recorded on the recording medium based on therecognition pattern if the determining step determines that therecording of the file to the recording medium is not normally completed,an identifying step for identifying data formed of the same file basedon the salvage processing information contained in the marker, and aregistering step for registering the data identified in the identifyingstep as the data of the same file in a file system.

In the recording apparatus, the recording method, and the program inaccordance with the present invention, the marker is generated. Themarker contains the recognition pattern set beforehand for each ofsegment files in which at least one of the files is segmented, andsalvage processing information that is used in a salvage process of afile that is recorded on the recording medium but in an unrecognizablestate as a file. The segment file and the marker are recorded onto therecording medium so that the segment file and the marker are arranged onthe recording medium in the predetermined order.

In the salvage apparatus, the salvage method, and the program inaccordance with the present invention, a determination is made ofwhether the recording process for recording the marker and the segmentfile on the recording medium in the predetermined order is normallycompleted, wherein the marker contains the recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one of filesis segmented, and the salvage processing information that is used in thesalvage process of the file that is recorded on the recording medium butin the unrecognizable state as a file. At least one of the markersrecorded on the recording medium is detected based on the recognitionpattern if it is determined that the recording of the file to therecording medium is not normally completed. Data formed of the same fileis identified based on the salvage processing information contained inthe marker. The identified data is registered as the data of the samefile in the file system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chart roughly illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another chart roughly illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a disk recordingand replay apparatus implementing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a disk operating process of the diskrecording and replay apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating an example of information contained in asalvage marker.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S9 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S103 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the salvage marker.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S2 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S6 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of data recorded on an optical disk.

FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating another example of information containedin the salvage marker.

FIG. 13 is another flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S9of FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process in step S304 ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of the salvage marker.

FIG. 16 is another flowchart illustrating in detail the process in stepS6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating another example of information containedin the salvage marker.

FIG. 18 is a chart illustrating an example of information contained inthe salvage marker.

FIG. 19 is another flowchart illustrating in detail the process in stepS9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 20 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 19 illustrating indetail the process in step S9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 21 is a chart illustrating an example of a recording position ofthe salvage marker.

FIG. 22 is another flowchart illustrating in detail the process in stepS9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a file system updating process.

FIG. 24 illustrates the registration of files to the file system.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of the salvage marker.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a personalcomputer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one concept of the present invention. In accordancewith the present invention, a marker is recorded between pieces of datawhen data such as video or audio managed in a file is recorded onto arecording medium. If a recording process fails to normally end, in otherwords, if the data recorded onto the recording medium has not beenregistered in a file system as a single file, the recording position ofthe data on the recording medium which was recorded until theinterruption of the recording process is determined by referencing themarker. Based on the recording position, the data is registered as afile in the file system. Even if the recording process fails to normallyend, the data that was recorded until the interruption of the recordingprocess is recognized as a file, and is set be in a replayable state. Inthe discussion that follows, the marker recorded between pieces of datais referred to as a salvage marker.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of recording order of data. As shown inFIG. 1, “SA1”, “SA2”, and “SA3” represent salvage markers. “Audio”represents audio data. “Video” represents video data. Arranged in theorder from left to right in FIG. 1 are the salvage marker SA1, the audiodata, the video data, the salvage marker SA2, the audio data, the videodata, the salvage marker SA3, and the audio data.

The salvage marker contains a recognition pattern (hereinafter referredto as a salvage ID) identifying the salvage marker, and identificationinformation (a file name is acceptable, for example) for identifying afile. The recording and replay apparatus detects the salvage marker bysearching for the salvage ID. The salvage marker may contain anotherinformation, of which more is discussed later.

The recording and replay apparatus searches for the salvage ID on anoptical disk if the optical disk is loaded back after an interruption inthe middle of recording. If the salvage ID contained in the salvagemarker SA1 is detected, the recording and replay apparatus reads thesalvage marker SA1 recorded at a position of the salvage ID. Based onthe identification information for identifying the file contained in thesalvage marker SA1, the recording and replay apparatus determines thatthe audio data and the video data recorded subsequent to the salvagemarker SA1 are data that has to belong to a file “A”.

The recording and replay apparatus further searches for the salvage IDs.If a salvage ID contained in the salvage marker SA2 is found, therecording and replay apparatus determines that the audio data and thevideo data recorded subsequent to the salvage marker SA2 are data thathas to belong to the file “A”, based on the identification informationfor identifying the file contained in the salvage marker SA2. Likewise,the recording and replay apparatus searches for salvage IDs for thesalvage marker SA3 and subsequent salvage markers, and identifies datacontained in the file “A”. By keeping tack of the salvage markers inthis way, the audio data and the video data, unregistered in the filesystem, are searched for. The file “A” containing the audio data and thevideo data detected as a result is then registered as a single file inthe file system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a recording position at the moment the recordingprocess is interrupted. Referring to FIG. 2, the salvage marker SA3, theaudio data, the video data, the salvage marker SA4, and the audio dataare arranged in the same order from left to right as shown in FIG. 1.The recording of the video data is interrupted at a position at a“recording interruption point” represented by an arrow in the middle ofthe video data on the right-hand side. Broken lines representing asalvage marker SA5 mean that the salvage marker SA5 is not recorded onthe recording medium.

The audio data and the video data recorded between the salvage markerSA3 and the salvage marker SA4 in the vicinity of the recordinginterruption point can be used as data to be contained in the file, butdata subsequent to the salvage marker SA4 cannot be adopted. Data priorto the salvage marker SA4 thus forms a single file. The audio data andthe video data on the right of the salvage marker SA4 may be adopted. Insuch a case, however, there is a possibility that a video is blurred ordisappears immediately prior to the end of a replay operation. Byediting the data through cutting a portion of the data immediately priorto the blurring or the disappearance of the video, a user can produce afile containing all data recorded immediately prior to the recordinginterruption point.

In the above discussion, the audio data and the video data are containedin the same file. The audio data and the video data may be handled asseparate files in FIGS. 1 and 2. In such a case, the audio data and thevideo data, which are detected by keeping track of the salvage markerssubsequent to the record interruption as shown in FIG. 2, are registeredas separate files in the file system.

The present invention is now described more in detail. FIG. 3illustrates the structure of a disk recording and replay apparatus 10implementing the present invention.

A spindle motor 12 drives an optical disk 11 at a CLV (Constant LinearVelocity) or a CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) in response to a spindlemotor drive signal from a servo controller 15.

A pickup unit 13 controls the output of a laser beam in response to arecording signal supplied from a signal processor 16, thereby recordingthe recording signal onto the optical disk 11. Also, the pickup unit 13focuses and directs the laser beam onto the optical disk 11,photoelectrically converts a laser beam reflected from the optical disk11 into a current signal, and supplies an RF amplifier 14 with thecurrent signal. The irradiation position of the laser beam is controlledby a servo signal supplied to the pickup unit 13 from the servocontroller 15.

The RF amplifier 14 generates a focus error signal, a tracking errorsignal, and a replay signal in response to the current signal from thepickup unit 13, supplies the servo controller 15 with the tracking errorsignal and the focus error signal, and supplies the signal processor 16with the replay signal.

The servo controller 15 performs a focus servo operation and a trackingservo operation. More specifically, the servo controller 15 generatesthe a focus servo signal or a tracking servo signal in response to thefocus error signal and the tracking error signal from the RF amplifier14, and supplies an actuator (not shown) of the pickup unit 13 with thefocus servo signal and the tracking servo signal. Furthermore, the servocontroller 15 generates a spindle motor drive signal for driving thespindle motor 12, thereby performing a spindle servo operation forcontrolling the optical disk 11 to a desired rotational speed.

Furthermore, the servo controller 15 performs a sled control. In thesled control, the servo controller 15 moves the irradiation position ofthe laser beam by radially shifting the pickup unit 13 across theoptical disk 11. The signal reading position of the optical disk 11 isset by a controller 20. The servo controller 15 controls the pickup unit13 in position so that a signal is read from the set reading position.

The signal processor 16 modulates the AV data input from a memorycontroller 17 and a salvage marker input from a salvage generator 21into recording signals, and feeds the recording signals to the pickupunit 13. Furthermore, the signal processor 16 generates replay data bydemodulating the replay signal from the RF amplifier 14, and feeds thereplay data to the memory controller 17.

The memory controller 17 causes a memory 18 to store the AV data from adata converter 19 as necessary as will be discussed later. Also, thememory controller 17 reads the AV data from the memory 18 to feed the AVdata to the signal processor 16. The memory controller 17 stores, in thememory 18, the AV data contained in the replay data from the signalprocessor 16 as necessary, while reading the AV data from the memory 18to feed the AV data to the data converter 19. Furthermore, the memorycontroller 17 stores, in the memory 18, the salvage marker contained inthe replay data from the signal processor 16 as necessary, while readingthe salvage marker from the memory 18 to feed the salvage marker to thecontroller 20.

The data converter 19 compresses a signal of an image picked by a videocamera (not shown) and supplied from a signal input/output device 41 anda signal replayed from a recording medium (not shown) into AV data inaccordance with the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), the JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group), or the like and feeds the compressed AVdata to the memory controller 17.

The data converter 19 decompresses the AV data contained in the replaydata supplied from the memory controller 17, converts the decompressedAV data into an output signal in a predetermined format, and suppliesthe signal input/output device 41 with the output signal. The dataconverter 19 is not necessarily employed.

The controller 20 controls the servo controller 15, the signal processor16, the memory controller 17, the data converter 19 and the salvagegenerator 21 in a recording and replay process. An allocation manager 31in the controller 20 manages the recording position and replay positionof data on the optical disk 11.

The salvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker containing asalvage ID and identification information for identifying a file, andsupplies the memory controller 17 with the salvage marker.

In addition, the disk recording and replay apparatus 10 may include adisk loading/unloading motor for loading and unloading the optical disk11, a display for displaying an operational status and a variety ofguides relating to the operation of the disk recording and replayapparatus 10, and an operation panel for receiving operational inputsfrom a user, although these elements are not shown here.

A disk operating process, namely, a process with a disk loaded, of thedisk recording and replay apparatus 10 is now described with referenceto a flowchart of FIG. 4.

In step S1, the controller 20 waits on standby until an optical disk isloaded into the disk recording and replay apparatus 10. When an opticaldisk is loaded, the controller 20 proceeds to step S2 and performs arestoration execution determination process. The restoration executiondetermination processes performed on the disk that was loaded into thedisk recording and replay apparatus 10 but ended with a recordinginterruption. The restoration execution determination process determineswhether the restoration of data (the data recorded until theinterruption of the recording process is registered as a file in thefile system) is required. The process will be discussed later in detailwith reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

In step S3, the controller 20 determines whether or not the restorationof the data is required by referring to the result of the restorationexecution determination process in step S2. If it is determined that therestoration of the data is required, the controller 20 proceeds to stepS4.

In step S4, the controller 20 causes the unshown display to display aguide to urge an operator to determine whether to perform the datarestoration process (a salvage process). In step S5, the controller 20determines whether an operational input as a command for the executionof the data restoration process is received from the unshown operationpanel. If it is determined that the operation input as the command forthe execution of the data restoration process is received, thecontroller 20 proceeds to step S6 and executes the data restorationprocess. The data restoration process will be discussed in detail laterwith reference to flowcharts of FIG. 10 and FIG. 16. Subsequent to theprocess in step S6, the algorithm proceeds to step S7.

If the controller 20 determines in step S3 that the restoration of datais not required, the process in step S4 through step S6 is skipped, andthen the algorithm proceeds to step S7. If the controller 20 determinesin step S5 that the operational input as the command for the executionof the data restoration process is not input from the operation panel (acommand not to perform the data restoration process is input), theprocess in step S6 is skipped, and the algorithm proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the controller 20 determines whether an operational inputcommanding the unloading of the optical disk 11 is received from theoperation panel (not shown). If it is determined that the operationalinput commanding the unloading of the optical disk 11 is not input, thealgorithm proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the controller 20 determineswhether the unshown operation panel issues a command to record data. Ifit is determined that a command to record data is issued, the algorithmproceeds to step S9. The controller 20 performs a data recordingprocess. The data recording process will be discussed more in detaillater. Subsequent to the recording process in step S9, the algorithmloops to step S7 to repeat step S7 and subsequent steps.

If the controller 20 determines in step S8 that the command to recorddata is not issued from the operation panel (not shown), the algorithmproceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the controller 20 determines whether a command to performanother process (other than the loading process of the optical disk 11and the data recording process) is issued from the operation panel (notshown). If it is determined that a command for another process isissued, the algorithm proceeds to step S11. The controller 20 controlsthe blocks in the disk recording and replay apparatus 10, therebyperforming the requested processes. The other process includes a replayprocess for replaying a file (AV data) recorded on the optical disk 11,for example. Subsequent to the process in step S11, the algorithm loopsto step S7 to repeat step S7 and subsequent steps.

If the controller 20 determines in step S10 that any command for anotherprocess is not issued from the operation panel (not shown), thealgorithm loops to step S7 to repeat step S7 and subsequent steps.

If the controller 20 determines in step S7 that the operation panel (notshown) has issued a command to unload the optical disk 11, the algorithmproceeds to step S12. The controller 20 drives the diskloading/unloading motor (not shown), thereby unloading the optical disk11 out of the disk recording and replay apparatus 10.

The disk recording and replay apparatus 10 thus completes the diskoperating process. It may be determined that the command not to restoredata is input, and the restoration process may not be performed in stepS6. In such a case, when the recording process is performed in step S9,new data overwrites unrestored data (the data that is not registered asa file in the file system). The unrestored data is thus deleted from theoptical disk 11 sooner or later.

In the above-referenced disk operating process, the process in step S2and subsequent steps is executed when the optical disk 11 is loaded inthe disk recording and replay apparatus 10 in step S1. This process isone example only. The process in step S2 and subsequent steps may beperformed if the disk recording and replay apparatus 10 is switched offwith the optical disk 11 loaded and the disk recording and replayapparatus 10 is switched on again later. For example, if a command toexecute the restoration execution determination process is input by auser with the optical disk 11 loaded, the restoration executiondetermination process may be performed. In such a case, the process instep S3 and subsequent steps may further be performed subsequent to theexecution of the restoration execution determination process. If therestoration execution determination process is executed (step S2), andit is determined that the data has to be restored (YES in step S3), thecontroller 20 may proceed to step S6 subsequent to skipping steps S4 andS5 (in other words, if the restoration of data is required, thedetermination of whether or not to restore the data is automaticallyperformed rather than being left to the user's decision).

The recording process illustrated in FIG. 4 will now be discussed indetail with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 6. Before the discussion ofthe recording process, an example of information contained in thesalvage marker is discussed with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a chartillustrating an example of recording order of data to be recorded ontothe optical disk 11. FIG. 5 shows part of the recording area of theoptical disk 11. Arranged from left as shown in FIG. 5 are “SA1”, “audio1”, “video 1”, “SA2”, “audio 2”, “video 2”, “SA3”, “audio 3”, and “video3”. “SA1” represents a salvage marker 1, “audio 1” represents audio data1, video 1 represents video data 1, “SA2” represents a salvage marker 2,“audio 2” represents audio data 2, “video 2” represents video data 2,“SA3” represents a salvage marker 3, “audio 3” represents audio data 3,and “video 3” represents video data 3.

Recording areas of the video data 1, the video data 2 and the video data3 are represented by hatched areas. The recording area of the video data2 contains a “defect” in the middle of recording. This means that datais not recorded there in the recording area for some reasons.

Segment data such as the audio data 1 through the audio data 3, and thevideo data 1 through the video data 3, forming a single file, arereferred to as segment files.

The salvage marker 1 contains information relating to the audio data 1and the video data 1. The salvage marker 2 contains information relatingto the audio data 2 and the video data 2. The salvage marker 3 containsinformation relating to the audio data 3 and the video data 3. The diskrecording and replay apparatus 10 generates a salvage marker for theaudio data and the video data on a per recording unit basis, wherein theunit is a predetermined length (an amount of data). The disk recordingand replay apparatus 10 then records the salvage marker onto the opticaldisk 11 on a per recording unit basis. In the discussion that follows,the recording unit is referred to as a segment. As shown in FIG. 5, theaudio data 1 and the video data 1 form a single segment, the audio data2 and the video data 2 form a single segment, and the audio data 3 andthe video data 3 form a single segment.

As shown in FIG. 5, a “data location (planned)” pointed by anarrow-headed broken line extending from the salvage marker 1 is a singlepiece of information to be recorded in the salvage marker 1. Recorded inthe salvage marker 1 are the type of data (the audio data 1 and thevideo data in FIG. 5, and may be occasionally a file name) to berecorded subsequent to the salvage marker 1 and information relating toa recording area (the recording area of the audio data 1 and therecording area of the video data 1 as shown in FIG. 5). The “recordingarea” is represented by a physical address at the position of a borderof data (for example, the audio data 1 and the video data 1). Morespecifically, the recording area is represented by a physical address ofa recording start position of the audio data 1 (the physical recordingposition on the optical disk 11), a physical address of a recording endposition of the audio data 1, and a physical address of a recording endposition of the video data 1. The recording end position of the audiodata 1 coincides with the recording start position of the video data 1.This information allows the physical recording positions of the audiodata 1 and the video data 1 on the optical disk 11 to be individuallyidentified. The present invention is not limited to this method.Alternatively, the recording area may be represented by the physicaladdress of the recording start position and the length of recording.

A “pointer (planned)” indicated by an arrow-headed broken line in FIG. 5represents one piece of information to be recorded in the salvage marker1. More specifically, information relating to a planned recordingposition of a salvage marker to be recorded on the optical disk 11subsequent to the salvage marker 1, namely, a salvage marker 2, isrecorded in the salvage marker 1.

In the discussion that follows, the type of data to be recordedsubsequent to the salvage marker and information relating to therecording area are referred to as data location information. The datalocation information tells what type of data is recorded in successionto the salvage marker and at what position the data is recorded on theoptical disk 11. In the discussion that follows, information relating tothe planned recording position of another salvage marker to be recordedonto the optical disk 11 subsequent to a first salvage marker isreferred to as pointer information. When a salvage marker is found, thepointer information recorded in the salvage marker identifies thelocation of a salvage marker to be recorded subsequent to the firstsalvage marker on the optical disk 11.

In addition to the data location information and the pointerinformation, the salvage marker 1 may contain at least one of a salvageID, recording time information of data, identification information foridentifying a file, a recording order ID indicating the recording orderof the salvage marker, and mapping information for mapping the audiodata 1 and the video data 1 with a time code.

The salvage marker 2 may contain at least one of the salvage ID, thedata location information of the audio data 2 and the video data 2, thepointer information indicating the planned recording position of thesalvage marker 3, the recording time information of the data, theidentification information for identifying the file, the recording orderID indicating the recording order of the salvage marker, and the mappinginformation for mapping the audio data 2 and the video data 2 with thetime code.

The salvage marker 3 may contain at least one of the salvage ID, thedata location information of the audio data 3 and the video data 3, thepointer information indicating the planned recording position of asalvage marker 4 (not shown), the recording time information of thedata, the identification for identifying the file, the recording orderID indicating the recording order of the salvage marker, and the mappinginformation for mapping the audio data 3 and the video data 3 with thetime code.

As shown in FIG. 5, the salvage marker contains information relating todata recorded between the salvage marker and the salvage marker to berecorded next (including the pointer information of the salvage markerto be recorded next).

Time information, if contained in the salvage marker, prevents datacontained in another file deleted in the past from being erroneouslyoutput.

The process in step S9 of FIG. 4, namely, the recording process of thedisk recording and replay apparatus, is described in detail withreference to a flowchart of FIG. 6.

In step S101 in FIG. 6, the controller 20 controls the data converter19, thereby starting a compression process for compressing an audiosignal and a video signal supplied from the signal input/output device41 to the disk recording and replay apparatus 10. The controller 20 alsocontrols the memory controller 17, thereby starting a storage processfor storing, in the memory 18, the audio data and the video dataprovided as a result of the compression process of the data converter19.

In step S102, the controller 20 monitors the memory 18 through thememory controller 17, thereby determining whether one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18. The controller 20 waitson standby until it is determined that one segment of audio data andvideo data is stored in the memory 18. When the one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18, the algorithm proceedsto step S103.

In step S103, the controller 20 causes the salvage generator 21 togenerate a salvage marker corresponding to the audio data and the videodata stored in the memory 18. Referring to a flowchart of FIG. 7, ageneration process of a salvage marker (planned) of the salvagegenerator 21 is described in detail. The word “(planned)” of the salvagemarker (planned) means that the planned location of the data to berecorded now is recorded as the data location information, and that theplanned recording position of a next salvage marker is recorded as thepointer information.

The salvage generator 21 contains an internal clock, and in step S151,the salvage generator 21 acquires current time at that moment (maycontain date information) as the recording time information. Therecording time information is used in the process in step S205 to bediscussed later with reference to FIG. 9. In step S152, the controller20 generates the identification information of the file. The salvagegenerator 21 generates the same identification information from thestart to the end of the recording process. The salvage generator 21generates different identification information when another recordingprocess is initiated after the completion of the first recordingprocess. In this way, when no series of data recorded onto the opticaldisk 11 is found after the start of the recording process, thecontroller 20 determines that there is no data belonging to the samefile (a segment of another file is distinguished).

In step S153, the salvage generator 21 generates the recording order IDindicating the recording order of the salvage marker. The salvagegenerator 21 generates “1” as the recording order ID for a salvagemarker that is generated first from the start of the recording process,generates “2” for a salvage marker that is generated second from thestart of the recording process, generates “3” for a salvage marker thatis generated third from the start of the recording process, and furthergenerates the recording order IDs that are successively incremented byone until the recording process ends. If the recording order ID is notrecorded in the salvage marker, a subsequent segment can be erroneouslydetected as a result of failure to read the audio data and the videodata contained in one segment (or a plurality of segments), althoughthat possibility is low. With the recording order ID recorded in thesalvage marker, the recording order of the audio data and the video datais identified based on the recording order of the salvage markers whenthe data restoration process is executed later.

In step S154, subsequent to step S153, the salvage generator 21 acquiresthe mapping information of the file and the time code. The time code issupplied to the salvage generator 21 from the signal input/output device41 through the data converter 19 and the controller 20. The time codeacquired by the salvage generator 21 is the one corresponding to theaudio data and the video data stored in the memory 18. The mappinginformation of the file and the time code is additional information thatis required to heighten indexing accuracy in the replaying of the AVdata. The mapping information is typically recorded at a time at the endof the recording process. If the salvage marker contains no mappinginformation of the file and the time code, all AV data to be restoredmust be read from the optical disk 11 to generate the mappinginformation from scratch. It takes a long time to restore the mappinginformation of the file and the time code. If the restoration of themapping information of the file and the time code is dropped to shortenprocess time, there is a possibility that the indexing accuracy isadversely affected later during the replaying of data.

With the mapping information of the file and the time code contained inthe salvage marker, the restoration of the mapping information of thefile and the time code involving long time is eliminated during the datarestoration process.

In step S155, subsequent to the process in step S154, the salvagegenerator 21 acquires the data location information of the audio dataand the video data stored in the memory 18, from the allocation manager31 in the controller 20.

In step S156, subsequent to the process in step S155, the salvagegenerator 21 acquires the pointer information of a next salvage markerfrom the allocation manager 31 in the controller 20.

After the process in step S156, the algorithm proceeds to step S157. Thesalvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker containing the presetsalvage ID, the recording time information acquired in step S151, theidentification information of the file generated in step S152, therecording order ID generated in step S153, the mapping information ofthe file and the time code acquired in step S154, the data locationinformation acquired in step S155 and the pointer information acquiredin step S156.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the generated salvage marker. Thesalvage marker shown in FIG. 8 contains a salvage ID 51, recording timeinformation 52, identification information 53 for identifying the file(such as a file name), a recording order ID 54, data locationinformation 55, and pointer information 56. In addition, the salvagemarker may contain mapping information of the file and the time code,although not shown in FIG. 8.

The salvage ID 51 contained in the salvage marker allows the diskrecording and replay apparatus to detect the salvage marker later duringa data restoration process.

The recording time information 52 contained in the salvage marker allowsthe disk recording and replay apparatus to prevent data belonging to afile deleted from the optical disk 11 in the past (deleted from the filesystem) from erroneously being restored later during a data restorationprocess.

With the salvage marker containing the identification information 53 foridentifying the file, the disk recording and replay apparatus identifiesthe file, to which the data identified by the salvage marker belongs,later during a data restoration process. For example, if the sameidentification information is recorded in the salvage marker 1, thesalvage marker 2 and the salvage marker 3 shown in FIG. 5, the diskrecording and replay apparatus identifies the audio 1 through the audio3 and the video 1 through the video 3 as being data belonging to thesame file during the data restoration process.

With the recording order ID 54 contained in the salvage marker, the diskrecording and replay apparatus can learn a failure to read a salvagemarker if the apparatus erroneously skips the salvage marker during thedata restoration process. For example, now, the recording order ID ofthe salvage marker 1 is “1”, the recording order ID of the salvagemarker 2 is “2”, and the recording order ID of the salvage marker 3 is“3” in FIG. 5. If the disk recording and replay apparatus fails todetect the salvage marker 2 subsequent to a successful detection of thesalvage marker 1 and then detects the salvage marker 3, the diskrecording and replay apparatus detects the recording order ID “3” of thesalvage marker 3 subsequent to the detection of the recording order ID“1” of the salvage marker 1. In this way, the disk recording and replayapparatus detects the missing of the recording order ID “2”, therebyfinding the missing salvage marker 2.

With the data location information 55 contained in the salvage marker,the disk recording and replay apparatus identifies the physicalrecording position (physical address) of the data identified by thesalvage marker on the optical disk 11 based on the data locationinformation 55 during the data restoration process.

With the pointer information 56 contained in the salvage marker, thedisk recording and replay apparatus identifies the physical recordingposition (physical address) of a next marker (the salvage marker 2 inFIG. 5, for example) on the optical disk 11 based on the pointerinformation during the data restoration process subsequent toidentifying one marker (the salvage marker 1 in FIG. 5, for example).

These pieces of information, contained in the salvage marker and used torestore data, are also referred to as salvage processing information.

Subsequent to the generation process of the salvage marker (planned) ofthe disk recording and replay apparatus 10, the algorithm proceeds tostep S104 in FIG. 6.

In step S104, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17 andthe salvage generator 21, thereby supplying the signal processor 16 withthe salvage marker generated in step S103, and the one segment of audiodata and video data determined to be stored in the memory 18 in stepS102, in the order of the salvage marker, the audio data and the videodata. More specifically, the salvage generator 21 supplies the signalprocessor 16 with the generated salvage marker. The memory controller 17supplies the signal processor 16 with the one segment of audio data andvideo data from the memory in that order.

The salvage marker, the audio data and the video data supplied to thesignal processor 16 are modulated into recording signals in that order,and the modulated signals are fed to the pickup unit 13 to be recordedonto the optical disk 11.

In step S105, subsequent to the process in step S104, the controller 20determines whether the recording process is complete by determiningwhether new audio data and new video data are stored in the memory 18.If it is determined that new audio data and new video data are stored inthe memory 18, in other words, if it is determined that the recordingprocess is not yet complete, the algorithm loops to step S102 to repeatstep S102 and subsequent steps.

If the controller 20 determines in step S105 that new audio data and newvideo data are not stored in the memory 18, in other words, thecontroller 20 determines that the recording process has to end, thealgorithm proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the controller 20 produces a file system corresponding tothe data (file) recorded on the optical disk 11 in the process in stepsS101 through S105, and supplies the signal processor 16 with the filesystem, thereby updating the file system recorded on the optical disk11.

The recording process of the disk recording and replay apparatus 10 isnow complete.

The process in step S2 shown in FIG. 4, namely, the restorationexecution determination process of the disk recording and replayapparatus 10 will now be discussed in detail with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 9.

In step S201 in FIG. 9, the controller 20 controls the servo controller15, thereby acquiring a UDF (Universal Disk Format) as a file systemfrom the optical disk 11, and referencing LVID (Logical Volume IntegrityDescriptor) of the acquired UDF. The LVID is a flag indicating whether afile recorded on the optical disk 11 is closed in the normal statethereof. If the file system corresponding to the data recorded on theoptical disk 11 is normally recorded, a close flag is set in the LVID.If the file system corresponding to the data recorded on the opticaldisk 11 is not normally recorded, an open flag is set in the LVID.

In step S202, the controller 20 determines whether the close flagreferenced in step S201 is set in the LVID. If it is determined that theclose flag is not set, the algorithm proceeds to step S203.

The file name corresponding to the data recorded on the optical disk 11,the recording position of the data on the optical disk 11, etc. arerecorded in the file system. For example, if the recording process isinterrupted due to a power failure, information such as the recordingposition of the data being recorded on the optical disk 11 and the filename corresponding to the data being recorded on the optical disk 11 isnot registered in the file system. The recording area where the data isrecorded until the recording interruption is registered as a free spacehaving no data recorded in the file system.

In step S203, the controller 20 tentatively reserves a consecutivelyfree space with the allocation manager 31. Based on the informationrelating to the recording position of the data registered in the filesystem, the allocation manager 31 identifies a free space having no datarecorded therein from among recording areas on the optical disk 11, anddetermines a recording order according to which the data is to berecorded, in other words, with which free space and at what position ofthe free space the data recording starts, when the data is tentativelyrecorded on the identified free spaces. In step S204, the controller 20controls the servo controller 15, thereby searching for a salvage IDwithin the free space reserved in step S203. In this search, thecontroller 20 starts with recording areas, reserved in step S203, in theorder with which data is recorded. In this way, the salvage IDs areefficiently detected.

If a salvage ID is found in step S204, the controller 20 reads thesalvage marker containing the salvage ID, and determines in step S205whether recording time information (time acquired in step S151 in FIG.7, for example) contained in the salvage marker is newer than the updatedate of the UDF. If the controller 20 determines that the recording timeinformation contained in the salvage marker is newer than the updatedate of the UDF, the algorithm proceeds to step S206. The controller 20determines that the restoration process is required. The algorithmproceeds to step S3 in FIG. 4.

If the controller 20 determines in step S202 that a close flag is set inthe LVID referenced in step S201, the algorithm proceeds to step S208.

If the controller 20 determines in step S205 that the recording timeinformation contained in the salvage marker is older than the updatedate of the UDF, the algorithm proceeds to step S207. In step S207, thecontroller 20 controls the servo controller 15 and the signal processor16, thereby setting a close flag in the LVID of the UDF recorded in theoptical disk 11. Then, the algorithm proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the controller 20 determines that no restoration processis required. Then, the algorithm proceeds to step S3 of FIG. 4.

The restoration execution determination process of the disk recordingand replay apparatus 10 is performed in this way.

The execution of the process in step S205 prevents the data of a filedeleted from the optical disk 11 in the past from being erroneouslyrestored.

The process in step S6 shown in FIG. 4, namely, the data restorationprocess of the disk recording and replay apparatus 10 will be discussedin detail with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 10.

In step S251 shown in FIG. 10, the controller 20 acquires the pointerinformation contained in the salvage marker detected last. In thebeginning of the restoration process of FIG. 10, the controller 20acquires the pointer information contained in the salvage markerdetected in step S204 of FIG. 9.

In step S252, the controller 20 controls the servo controller 15 basedon the pointer information acquired in step S251, thereby reading thedata at the recording position where a next salvage marker is recorded.

In step S253, the controller 20 initializes a variable “n” to zero,wherein the variable “n” is incremented one by one in the process instep S256 to be discussed later. In step S254, the controller 20determines, based on the presence or absence of the salvage ID, whetherthe data read in step S252 is a salvage marker. If it is determined instep S252 that the read data is not a salvage marker (if no salvage IDis detected), the algorithm proceeds to step S255.

In step S255, the controller 20 determines whether the variable “n” issmaller than a predetermined permissible number “N” of defects. If it isdetermined that the variable “n” is smaller than the predeterminedpermissible number “N” of defects, the algorithm proceeds to step S256to increment the variable “n” by one. In step S257, the controller 20controls the servo controller 15, thereby reading data of a segment thatis located immediately subsequent to a segment read last from theoptical disk 11. The controller 20 loops to step S254 to repeat stepS254 and subsequent steps. In step S254, the controller 20 determineswhether the data read in step S257 from the optical disk 11 is a salvagemarker.

Returning to step S255, if the controller 20 determines whether thevariable “n” is equal to or larger than the predetermined permissiblenumber “N” of defects, the algorithm proceeds to step S260.

When data is recorded onto the optical disk 11, an area where data failsto be recorded for some reasons as indicated as a “defect” in the videodata 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In such a case, the pointer informationrecorded beforehand in the salvage marker fails to coincide with theposition where the next salvage marker is actually recorded. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5, the salvage marker 3 is shifted morerightward than the location indicated by an arrow of the pointerinformation (planned) contained in the salvage marker 2. The process insteps S254 through S257 is repeated as already discussed to search forthe salvage marker within a range that also contains a subsequentpredetermined area (segment) later than the pointer information (theplanned recording position of the next salvage marker) acquired in stepS251. Even if the planned recording position of the next salvage markerfails to coincide with the actual recording position, the salvage markeris detected with a high probability.

If the controller 20 determines that the data read in step S252 (or stepS257) is the salvage marker (if it is determined that the salvage ID iscontained in the read data), the algorithm proceeds to step S258.

In step S258, the controller 20 determines whether information containedin the read salvage marker is consistent with information contained inthe salvage marker read before. The process in step S258 will now bediscussed more specifically.

Here, it is assumed that the salvage marker contains the recording timeinformation, the identification information for identifying the file,and the recording order ID. In a series of recording processes, thesalvage markers recorded on the optical disk 11 have the sameidentification information for identifying the file. As alreadydiscussed with reference to the process in step S153 of FIG. 7, therecording order ID complies with a predetermined rule among salvagemarkers consecutive in the recording order (for example, a rule that therecording order ID is incremented one by one). In step S258, thecontroller 20 determines whether the identification information of thefile contained in the salvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257)matches the identification information of the file contained in theimmediately prior read salvage marker. If it is determined that the twopieces of identification information fail to match, the controller 20determines that the salvage marker read in step S252 (or in step S257)is not consistent with the immediately prior read salvage marker.

If it is determined that the identification information of the filecontained in the salvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257) matchesthe identification information of the file contained in the immediatelyprior read salvage marker, the controller 20 determines whether therecording order ID contained in the salvage marker read in step S252 (orstep S257) and the recording order ID contained in the immediately priorread salvage marker are IDs complying with a predetermined rule (a ruleof incrementing one by one). If it is determined that the recordingorder IDs are not the IDs complying with the predetermined rule, thecontroller 20 determines that the salvage marker read in step S252 (orstep S257) fails to be consistent with the immediately prior readsalvage marker.

If it is determined that the recording order ID contained in the salvagemarker read in step S252 (or step S257) and the recording order IDcontained in the immediately prior read salvage marker are the IDscomplying with the predetermined rule, the controller 20 determines thatthe salvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257) is consistent withthe immediately prior read salvage marker.

In this way, the controller 20 determines in step S258 whether thesalvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257) is consistent with theimmediately prior read salvage marker. If it is determined in step S258that the salvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257) is consistentwith the immediately prior read salvage marker, the algorithm proceedsto step S259.

In step S259, the controller 20 supplies the memory controller 17 withthe salvage marker read in step S252 (or step S257) from the opticaldisk 11, thereby causing the memory 18 to store the salvage marker. The,the algorithm loops to step S251 to repeat step S251 and subsequentsteps. In step S251 executed subsequent to step S259, the controller 20acquires the pointer information from the salvage marker stored in thememory 18 in step S259.

If the controller 20 determines in step S258 that the salvage markerread in step S252 (or step S257) is not consistent with the immediatelyprior read salvage marker, the algorithm proceeds to step S260.

Based on the salvage marker stored in the memory 18 in step S259, thecontroller 20 registers in step S260 the audio data and the video data,which have failed to be filed due to an interruption in the middle ofrecording, as a file in the file system of the optical disk 11 throughthe signal processor 16, the pickup unit 13, etc. In other words, thecontroller 20 extracts the data location information from the salvagemarker stored in the memory 18. As already discussed, the data locationinformation contains information of the type of data (the audio data andthe video data) identified by each salvage marker and information of therecording position (physical address) of the data on the optical disk11. Based on the data location information, the controller 20 registersthe file in the file system with the physical recording position of theaudio data and the video data contained in the file mapped with thefile.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of data recorded on the optical disk 11.As shown, a file system 71 is recorded on an inner circle of the opticaldisk 11 while the audio data, the video data and the salvage marker arerecorded on a circle more outer than the file system 71. As shown, onenew file containing, as data, audio 1 through audio 10 and video 1through video 10 is registered in the file system 71 shown in FIG. 11 inthe process of step S260.

By registering the data as one new file in the file system 71, the audiodata and the video data, which have failed to normally end and have beenunable to be read, are now read.

The data restoration process of the disk recording and replay apparatus10 has been discussed.

If the pointer information is not contained in the salvage marker, therecording position of the next salvage marker, which is otherwisepredicted in the process in step S251 and step S252, cannot bepredicted. As a result, the salvage IDs must be successively searched onthe track of the optical disk 11. A long period of time is requiredprior to the detection of the salvage marker. With the pointerinformation contained in the salvage marker, an approximate recordingposition of the next salvage marker is predicted. The salvage markersare quickly detected.

If no pointer information is contained in the salvage marker, thesalvage IDs may be successively detected on the track of the opticaldisk 11.

In the above discussion, the salvage marker is recorded immediatelyprior to the corresponding segment. Alternatively, the salvage markermay be recorded immediately subsequent to the corresponding segment.FIG. 12 shows data arranged in such a recording order.

FIG. 12 shows part of the recording areas of the optical disk 11.Arranged in order from left as shown in FIG. 12 are “audio 1”, “video1”, “SA1”, “audio 2”, “video 2”, “SA2”, “audio 3”, and “video 3”. “Audio1” represents audio data 1, “video 1” represents video data 1, “SA1”represents a salvage marker 1, “audio 2” represents audio data 2, “video2” represents video data 2, “SA2” represents a salvage marker 2, “audio3” represents audio data 3, and “video 3” represents video data 3.

Recording areas of the video data 1, the video data 2 and the video data3 are represented by hatched areas. The recording area of the video data2 contains a “defect” in the middle of recording. This means that datais not recorded there in the recording area for some reasons.

The salvage marker 1 contains information relating to the audio data 1and the video data 1. The salvage marker 2 contains information relatingto the audio data 2 and the video data 2. The salvage marker 3 (notshown) contains information relating to the audio data 3 and the videodata 3. Unlike in FIG. 5, the salvage marker is recorded immediatelysubsequent to the corresponding segment in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, a “data location (actual)” pointed by anarrow-headed solid line extending from the salvage marker 1 is a singlepiece of information to be recorded in the salvage marker 1. Recorded inthe salvage marker 1 are the type of data (the audio data 1 and thevideo data 1 in FIG. 12) recorded prior to the salvage marker 1 andinformation relating to a recording area (the recording area of theaudio data 1 and the recording area of the video data 1 as shown in FIG.12). The “recording area” is represented by a physical address at theposition of a border of data (for example, the audio data 1 and thevideo data 1). More specifically, the recording area is represented by aphysical address of a recording start position of the audio data 1 (thephysical recording position on the optical disk 11), a physical addressof a recording end position of the audio data 1, and a physical addressof a recording end position of the video data 1. The recording endposition of the audio data 1 coincides with the recording start positionof the video data 1.

In the above discussion, the type of data and the information relatingto the recording area, recorded subsequent to the salvage marker, arereferred to as the data location information. However, in the discussionthat follows, the type of data and the information relating to therecording area, recorded prior to the salvage marker, are also referredto as the data location information.

The pointer information is recorded in the salvage marker as shown inFIG. 5, while no pointer information is recorded in the salvage markeras shown in FIG. 12.

In addition to the data location information, the salvage marker 1 maycontain at least one of a salvage ID, recording time information ofdata, identification information for identifying a file, a recordingorder ID indicating the recording order of the salvage marker, mappinginformation for mapping the audio data 1 and the video data 1 with atime code, and defect position information of a defect caused at therecording of segments on the optical disk 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, information relating to data recorded between onesalvage marker and another immediately prior recorded salvage marker isrecorded in the one salvage marker.

When the salvage marker is recorded immediately subsequent to thesegment as shown in FIG. 12, the recording process in step S9 of FIG. 4is represented in a flowchart of FIG. 13 rather than of FIG. 6. Therecording process for recording a salvage marker immediately subsequentto the segment as shown in FIG. 12 is discussed with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 13.

In step S301 in FIG. 13, the controller 20 controls the data converter19, thereby starting a compression process for compressing an audiosignal and a video signal supplied from the signal input/output device41 to the disk recording and replay apparatus 10. The controller 20 alsocontrols the memory controller 17, thereby starting a storage processfor storing, in the memory 18, audio data and video data provided as aresult of the compression process of the data converter 19.

In step S302, the controller 20 monitors the memory 18 through thememory controller 17, thereby determining whether one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18. The controller 20 waitson standby until it is determined that one segment of audio data andvideo data is stored in the memory 18. When the one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18, the algorithm proceedsto step S303.

In step S303, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17,thereby supplying the signal processor 16 with the one segment of audiodata and video data determined to be stored in the memory 18 in stepS102 in the order of the audio data and the video data. The audio dataand the video data supplied to the signal processor 16 are modulatedinto recording signals in that order, and the modulated signals are fedto the pickup unit 13 to be recorded onto the optical disk 11. Theallocation manager 31 acquires the results of the recording position ofthe audio data and the video data on the optical disk 11. If a defecttakes place during the recording of the audio data and the video data,the allocation manager 31 also acquires information of the position ofthe defect on the optical disk 11 (also referred to as defect positioninformation in the discussion that follows).

In step S304 subsequent to the process in step S303, the controller 20causes the salvage generator 21 to generate a salvage markercorresponding to the audio data and the video data recorded on theoptical disk 11 in step S303. The process in step S304 of FIG. 13,namely, the salvage marker (actual) generation process of the salvagegenerator 21 will now be discussed in detail with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 14. The process in step S351 through step S354 isidentical to that in step S151 through step S154. The process in stepS351 through step S354 is thus only briefly described here.

The word “(actual)” of the salvage marker (actual) means that the resultof the location of the already recorded data is recorded as the datalocation information.

In step S351 of FIG. 14, the salvage generator 21 acquires the currenttime at that moment (may contain date) from an internal clock as therecording time information. In step S352, the salvage generator 21generates the identification information of the file. In step S352, likein step S152 of FIG. 7, the salvage generator 21 generates the sameidentification information from the start to the end of the recordingprocess. The salvage generator 21 generates different identificationinformation when another recording process is initiated subsequent tothe completion of the first recording process.

In step S353, the salvage generator 21 generates the recording order IDindicating the recording order of the salvage markers. The generatedrecording order ID is identical to that generated in step S153 of FIG.7. In step S354, the salvage generator 21 acquires the mappinginformation between the file and the time code.

In step S355 subsequent to the process in step S354, the salvagegenerator 21 acquires the data location information of the audio dataand the video data actually recorded in step S303 as illustrated in FIG.13, from the allocation manager 31 in the controller 20.

In step S356 subsequent to the process in step S355, the salvagegenerator 21 acquires the defect position information from theallocation manager 31 in the controller 20.

In step S357 subsequent to the process in step S356, the salvagegenerator 21 generates the salvage marker containing the preset salvageID, the recording time information acquired in step S351, theidentification information of the file generated in step S352, therecording order ID generated in step S353, the mapping information ofthe file and the time code acquired in step S354, the data locationinformation generated in step S355 and the defect position informationacquired in step S356.

FIG. 15 illustrates the generated salvage marker. As shown, the salvagemarker contains a salvage ID 61, recording time information 62, fileidentification information (a file name, for example) 63, an recordingorder ID 64, data location information 65, and defect positioninformation 66. In addition, the salvage marker may contain mappinginformation of the file and the time code, although not listed in FIG.15. It is not a requirement that the salvage marker contain all piecesof information listed in FIG. 15.

The advantage of the salvage marker that contains the salvage ID 61, therecording time information 62, the file identification information (suchas the file name) 63, the recording order ID 64, and the data locationinformation 65 is identical to that of the salvage marker shown in FIG.8.

With the defect position information 66 contained in the salvage marker,the disk recording and replay apparatus can identify a physical positionof a defect taking place during the data restoration process.

When the salvage marker (actual) generation process of the diskrecording and replay apparatus 10 is complete, the algorithm proceeds tostep S305 of FIG. 13.

In step S305, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17 andthe salvage generator 21, thereby supplying the signal processor 16 withthe salvage marker generated in step S304. The salvage marker suppliedto the signal processor 16 is modulated into a recording signal, and themodulated signal is fed to the pickup unit 13 to be recorded onto theoptical disk 11.

In step S306, subsequent to the process in step S305, the controller 20determines whether or not to complete the recording process bydetermining whether new audio data and new video data are stored in thememory 18. If it is determined that new audio data and new video dataare stored in the memory 18, in other words, if it is determined thatthe recording process is not yet complete, the algorithm loops to stepS302 to repeat step S302 and subsequent steps. If the controller 20determines in step S306 that new audio data and new video data are notstored in the memory 18, in other words, the controller 20 determinesthat the recording process has to end, the algorithm proceeds to stepS307.

In step S307, the controller 20 produces a file system corresponding tothe data recorded on the optical disk 11 in the process in step S301through step S306, and supplies the signal processor 16 with the filesystem, thereby updating the file system recorded on the optical disk11.

The recording operation of the disk recording and replay apparatus 10for recording the salvage marker corresponding to the segmentimmediately subsequent to that segment is now complete.

When the salvage marker corresponding to the segment is recordedimmediately subsequent to that segment, the data restoration process instep S6 of FIG. 4 becomes different from the process illustrated in FIG.10. The data restoration process when the salvage marker correspondingto the segment is recorded immediately subsequent to that segment is nowdescribed with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 16.

In step S401 illustrated in FIG. 16, the controller 20 reads data of asegment a minimum marker interval ahead of a salvage marker detectedlast from the optical disk 11. The minimum marker is now discussed. Theamount of data contained in one segment can vary within a predeterminedrange. Accordingly, the interval of the markers that interpose thesegment varies in length within a predetermined range. The shortestinterval of the salvage markers recorded to interpose the segment isreferred to as the minimum marker interval while the longest interval ofthe salvage markers recorded to interpose the segment is referred to asthe maximum marker interval. The minimum marker interval and the maximummarker interval depend on the amount of data contained in the segment,and does not account for a variation in the marker interval that maytake place in the case of a defect.

The controller 20 stores beforehand the minimum marker interval and themaximum marker interval. In step S401, the controller 20 controls theservo controller 15, thereby reading data of the segment the minimummarker interval ahead of the salvage marker detected last from theoptical disk 11. In the beginning of the restoration process illustratedin FIG. 10, the controller 20 reads the data of the segment the minimummarker interval ahead of the salvage marker detected last in step S204of FIG. 9.

In step S402, the controller 20 initializes the variable “n”, which isincremented one by one in step S405, to zero. In step S403, thecontroller 20 determines, based on the presence or absence of a salvageID, whether the data read in step S401 is a salvage marker. If it isdetermined that the data read in step S401 is not a salvage marker (ifno salvage ID is detected), the algorithm proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, the controller 20 determines whether the variable “n” isn<(N1+N2). “N1” represents the number of segments contained between theminimum marker interval and the maximum marker interval. “N2” representsthe predetermined permissible number of defects.

If the controller 20 determines that the relationship n<(N1+N2) holds,the algorithm proceeds to step S405 to increment the variable “n” byone. In step S406, the controller 20 controls the servo controller 15,thereby reading the data of the segment located immediately subsequentto the segment read last from the optical disk 11. The algorithm loopsto step S403 to repeat step S403 and subsequent steps. In this case, instep S403, the controller 20 determines whether the data read from theoptical disk 11 in step S406 is a salvage marker.

Returning to step S404, if the controller 20 determines that thevariable “n” does not satisfy the condition of n<(N1+N2) (i.e.,n≧(N1+N2)), the algorithm proceeds to step S409.

If the controller 20 determines in step S403 that the data read in stepS401 (or step S406) is a salvage marker (i.e., a salvage marker ID iscontained in the read salvage marker), the algorithm proceeds to stepS407.

In step S407, the controller 20 determines whether information containedin the read salvage marker is consistent with information contained inthe salvage marker read before. The process in step S407 is identical tothe process in step S258 of FIG. 10, and the detailed discussion of step407 is omitted here. If the controller 20 determines in step S407 thatthe salvage marker read in step S401 (or step S406) is consistent withthe immediately prior read salvage marker, the algorithm proceeds tostep S408.

In step S408, the controller 20 supplies the memory controller 17 withthe salvage marker read in step S401 (or step S406) from the opticaldisk 11, thereby causing the memory 18 to store the salvage marker. Thealgorithm loops to step S401 to repeat step S401 and subsequent steps.In step S401 executed subsequent to step S408, the controller 20acquires the data of the segment the minimum marker interval ahead ofthe salvage marker stored in the memory 18 in step S408.

If the controller 20 determines in step S407 that the salvage markerread in step S401 (or step S406) is not consistent with the immediatelyprior read salvage marker, the algorithm proceeds to step S409.

Based on the salvage marker stored until then in the memory 18 in stepS408, the controller 20 registers in step S409 the audio data and thevideo data, which have failed to be filed due to an interruption in themiddle of recording, in a file in the file system of the optical disk 11through the signal processor 16, the pickup unit 13, etc. In otherwords, the controller 20 extracts the data location information from thesalvage marker stored in the memory 18. As already discussed, the datalocation information contains information of the type of data (the audiodata and the video data) identified by each salvage marker andinformation of the recording position (the physical address) of the dataon the optical disk 11. Based on the data location information, thecontroller 20 registers the file in the file system with the physicalrecording position of the audio data and the video data contained in thefile mapped with the file. In this way, the video data and the audiodata, the recording of which has failed to normally end and the readingof which has been unsuccessful, can now be read.

The data restoration process of the disk recording and replay apparatus10 for recording the salvage marker corresponding to the segmentimmediately subsequent to that segment has been discussed.

The above arrangement provides the advantage that the defect positioninformation concerning the segment already recorded on the optical disk11 is contained in the salvage marker by recording the salvage markerimmediately subsequent to the corresponding segment. If the salvagemarker contains no defect position information, noise can be generateddue to a “defect” during the replay of data. If the salvage markercontains the defect position information, the generation of noise due tothe “defect” is prevented.

In the above discussion, the salvage marker corresponding to the segmentis recorded immediately prior to the segment in one case, and thesalvage marker corresponding to the segment is recorded immediatelysubsequent to the segment in another case. Alternatively, the salvagemarker corresponding to the segment may be recorded at each of bothlocations immediately prior to and immediately subsequent to thesegment. The recording order of the data is discussed with reference toFIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating an example of the recording order of thedata that is recorded on the optical disk 11 when the salvage markerscorresponding to the segment are recorded at each of the two locationsimmediately prior to and immediately subsequent to the segment.

FIG. 17 shows part of the recording areas of the optical disk 11.Arranged in order from left as shown in FIG. 17 are “SA1”, “audio 1”,“video 1”, “SA2”, “audio 2”, “video 2”, “SA3”, “audio 3”, and “video 3”.“SA1” represents a salvage marker 1, “audio 1” represents audio data 1,“video 1” represents video data 1, “SA2” represents a salvage marker 2,“audio 2” represents audio data 2, “video 2” represents video data 2,“SA3” represent a salvage marker 3, “audio 3” represents audio data 3,and “video 3” represents video data 3.

Recording areas of the video data 1, the video data 2 and the video data3 are represented by hatched areas. The recording area of the video data2 contains a “defect” in the middle of recording. This means that datais not recorded there in the recording area for some reasons.

The salvage marker 1 contains information relating to the audio data 1and the video data 1. The salvage marker 2 contains information relatingto the audio data 1, the video data 1, the audio data 2 and the videodata 2. The salvage marker 3 contains information relating to the audiodata 2, the video data 2, the audio data 3 and the video data 3. Asshown in FIG. 17, the audio data 1 and the video data 1 form onesegment, the audio data 2 and the video data 2 form another segment, andthe audio data 3 and the video data 3 form another segment.

Information contained in the salvage marker 1 shown in FIG. 17 isidentical to the salvage marker 1 shown in FIG. 5, and the discussionthereof is omitted here. As shown in FIG. 17, a “data location(planned)” pointed by an arrow-headed broken line extending from thesalvage marker 2 is a single piece of information to be recorded in thesalvage marker 2. Recorded in the salvage marker 2 are the type of data(the audio data 2 and the video data 2 in FIG. 17) recorded subsequentto the salvage marker 2 and information relating to a recording area(the recording area of the audio data 2 and the recording area of thevideo data 2 as shown in FIG. 17) of the data recorded subsequent to thesalvage marker 2. As shown in FIG. 17, a “pointer (planned)” pointed byan arrow-headed broken line extending from the salvage marker 2 is asingle piece of information to be recorded in the salvage marker 2. Morespecifically, the salvage marker 2 contains a planned recording positionof a salvage marker to be recorded in succession to the salvage marker 2on the optical disk 11, namely, the planned recording position of thesalvage marker 3.

As shown in FIG. 17, a “data location (actual)” pointed by anarrow-headed solid line extending from the salvage marker 2 is a singlepiece of information to be recorded in the salvage marker 2. Recorded inthe salvage marker 2 are the type of data (the audio data 1 and thevideo data 1 in FIG. 17) recorded prior to the salvage marker 2 andinformation relating to a recording area (the recording area of theaudio data 1 and the recording area of the video data 1 as shown in FIG.17).

In addition, the salvage marker 2 may contain a salvage ID, recordingtime information of data, identification information for identifying afile, a recording order ID indicating the recording order of the salvagemarker, mapping information for mapping the audio data 1 and the videodata 1 with a time code, and mapping information for mapping the audiodata 2 and the video data 2 with a time code.

The salvage marker 3 may contain a salvage ID, data location information(planned) of the audio data 3 and the video data 3, data locationinformation (actual) of the audio data 2 and the video data 2, a plannedrecording position of a salvage marker 4 (not shown), defect positioninformation of a defect taking place in the video data 2, recording timeinformation of the data, identification information for identifying thefile, a recording order ID indicating the recording order of the salvagemarker, mapping information for mapping the audio data 2 and the videodata 2 with the time code, and mapping information for mapping the audiodata 3 and the video data 3 with a time code.

Recorded in the salvage marker shown in FIG. 17 are information relatingto data recorded between one salvage marker and another salvage markerimmediately prior to the one salvage marker, and information relating todata recorded between the one salvage marker and another salvage markerimmediately subsequent to the one salvage marker. In the example of FIG.7, the one salvage marker may contain information relating to therecording position of the immediately prior salvage marker andinformation relating to the recording position of the immediatelysubsequent salvage marker with respect to the recording medium.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of recorded data in which data recordingis continued in another free space on the optical disk 11 when one spacebecomes full with no more free space available in the middle ofrecording data on the optical disk 11. As shown in FIG. 18, portions ofthe recording area of the optical disk 11 are drawn in upper and lowerbands.

As shown, space becomes full with no free space available in the middleof the data recording in the recorder area on the upper portion, and thedata is continuously recorded in the recording area on the lowerportion.

Arranged in order from left on the upper portion as shown in FIG. 18 are“audio 4”, “video 4”, “SA5”, “audio 5”, “video 5”, and “SA6”. Arrangedin order from left on the lower portion are “SA7”, “audio 7”, “video 7”,“SA8”, “audio 8”, “video 8”, and “SA9”. “Audio 4” represents audio data4, “video 4” represents video data 4, “SA5” represents a salvage marker5, “audio 5” represents audio data 5, “video 5” represents video data 5,“SA6” represents a salvage marker 6, “SA7” represents a salvage marker7, “audio 7” represents audio data 7, “video 7” represents video data 7,“SA8” represents a salvage marker 8, “audio 8” represents audio data 8,“video 8” represents video data 8, and “SA9” represents a salvage marker9.

As shown in FIG. 18, the audio data 4 and the video data 4 form onesegment, the audio data 5 and the video data 5 form another segment, theaudio data 7 and the video data 7 form yet another segment, and theaudio data 8 and the video data 8 form still another segment.

A free space sufficient to accommodate one segment is not presentimmediately subsequent to the salvage marker 6 as shown in FIG. 18. Insuch a case, the data expected to be recorded, i.e., the locationinformation of the audio data 7 and the video data 7, is not recorded inthe salvage marker 6. No data location information (actual) is recordedin the salvage marker 7 recorded prior to the audio data 7 and the videodata 7 expected recorded next. Neither data location information(planned) nor pointer information is recorded in the salvage marker 9,which is recoded after all series of data is recorded.

The recording process (step S9 in FIG. 4) for recording the salvagemarker corresponding to the segment at each of the locations immediatelyprior to and immediately subsequent to the segment will now be discussedwith reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20.

In step S501 in FIG. 19, the controller 20 controls the data converter19, thereby starting a compression process for compressing an audiosignal and a video signal supplied from the signal input/output device41 to the disk recording and replay apparatus 10. The controller 20 alsocontrols the memory controller 17, thereby starting a storage processfor storing, in the memory 18, the audio data and the video dataprovided as a result of the compression process of the data converter19.

In step S502, the controller 20 monitors the memory 18 through thememory controller 17, thereby determining whether one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18. The controller 20 waitson standby until it is determined that one segment of audio data andvideo data is stored in the memory 18. When the one segment of audiodata and video data is stored in the memory 18, the algorithm proceedsto step S503.

In step S503, the allocation manager 31 searches for the size of freespace available for consecutively recording data.

In step S504, the allocation manager 31 determines whether one segmentof data is recordable in the free space found in the search in stepS503. If it is determined that the one segment of data is recordable,the algorithm proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the controller 20causes the salvage generator 21 to generate a salvage marker (planned).The salvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker (planned) in theprocess of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. In step S506, the controller20 feeds the salvage marker (planned), generated by the salvagegenerator 21 in step S505, to the memory 18 for storage from the salvagegenerator 21 through the memory controller 17.

In step S507, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17,thereby supplying the signal processor 16 with the salvage marker storedin the memory 18 in step S506 and the one segment of audio data andvideo data determined to be stored in the memory 18 in step S502 in theorder of the salvage marker, the audio data and the video data. Thesalvage marker, the audio data and the video data supplied to the signalprocessor 16 are modulated into recording signals in that order, and themodulated signals are fed to the pickup unit 13 to be recorded onto theoptical disk 11. In the process in step S507 subsequent to thecompletion of the process in step S509 to be discussed later, thesalvage marker (actual) generated in step S509 to be discussed later isalso stored together onto the optical disk 11.

In step S508 subsequent to the process in step S507, the controller 20causes the salvage generator 21 to generate a salvage marker (actual).The salvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker (actual) in theprocess in the flowchart of FIG. 14. In step S509, the controller 20feeds the salvage marker (actual), generated by the salvage generator 21in step S508, to the memory 18 for storage from the salvage generator 21through the memory controller 17.

In step S510 subsequent to the process in step S509, the controller 20determines whether or not to end the recording process by determiningwhether the memory 18 stores new audio data and new video data. If it isdetermined that new audio data and new video data are stored in thememory 18, i.e., if it is determined that the recording process is notyet complete, the algorithm proceeds to step S502 to repeat step S502and subsequent steps.

As already discussed, in step S507 performed subsequent to the processin step S510, both the salvage marker (planned) stored in the memory 18in step S509 and the salvage marker (planned) stored in the memory 18 instep S506 are read and stored on the optical disk 11. In this case, thesalvage marker (planned) and the salvage marker (actual) are recorded asone salvage marker. From among pieces of information contained in thesalvage marker (actual), the salvage ID, the recording time information,the identification information of the file, the recording order ID, andthe mapping information of the file and the time code are alreadycontained in the salvage marker (planned) recorded prior to thecorresponding segment, and may be thus deleted.

If the controller 20 determines in step S510 that new audio data and newvideo data are not stored in the memory 18, i.e., if the controller 20determines that the recording process has to end, the algorithm proceedsto step S511.

In step S511, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17,thereby supplying the signal processor 16 with the salvage marker(actual) stored in the memory 18 in step S509. The salvage marker(actual) supplied to the signal processor 16 is modulated into arecording signal, and is fed to the pickup unit 13 to be recorded ontothe optical disk 11.

In step S512 subsequent to the process in step S511, the controller 20produces the file system corresponding to the data recorded on theoptical disk 11 in the process in step S501 through step S511, and feedsthe file system to the signal processor 16, thereby updating the filesystem recorded on the optical disk 11.

Returning to step S504, if the allocation manager 31 determines that thefree space found in the search in step S503 is unable to accommodate theone segment of data, the algorithm proceeds to step S513 of FIG. 20. Instep S513, the controller 20 causes the salvage generator 21 to generatethe salvage marker (planned). The salvage generator 21 generates thesalvage marker (planned) in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7. Inthis case, the process in step S155 of FIG. 7 is not carried out. Thesalvage marker (planned) generated in step S513 contains no datalocation information. In step S514, the controller 20 feeds the salvagemarker (planned) generated by the salvage generator 21 in step S513 tothe memory 18 for storage from the salvage generator 21 through thememory controller 17.

In step S515, the controller 20 controls the memory controller 17,thereby supplying the signal processor 16 with the salvage marker(actual) stored in the memory 18 in step S509 of FIG. 19 and the salvagemarker (planned) stored in the memory 18 in step S514. The salvagemarkers supplied to the signal processor 16 are modulated into recordingsignals, which are then fed to the pickup unit 13 to be recorded ontothe optical disk 11. In this case as well, the salvage marker (planned)and the salvage marker (actual) are recorded as one salvage marker. Fromamong pieces of information contained in the salvage marker (actual),the salvage ID, the recording time information, the identificationinformation of the file, the recording order ID, and the mappinginformation of the file and the time code are already contained in thesalvage marker (planned) recorded prior to the corresponding segment,and may be thus deleted.

In step S516 subsequent to the process in step S515, the controller 20causes the salvage generator 21 to generate a salvage marker (planned).The salvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker (planned) inaccordance with the process of FIG. 7. In step S517, the controller 20controls the salvage generator 21 and the memory controller 17, therebyrecording the salvage marker generated in step S516 and the one segmentof audio data and video data determined to be stored in step S502 at arecording position on the optical disk 11 designated by the allocationmanager 31. More specifically, the salvage generator 21 supplies thesignal processor 16 with the salvage marker (planned) generated in stepS516, and then, the memory controller 17 supplies the signal processor16 with the one segment of audio data and video data stored in thememory 18. The salvage marker (planned), the audio data and the videodata supplied to the signal processor 16 are modulated into recordingsignals in that order, and then supplied to the pickup unit 13 to berecorded onto the optical disk 11.

In step S518 subsequent to the process in step S517, the controller 20causes the salvage generator 21 to generate a salvage marker (actual).The salvage generator 21 generates the salvage marker (actual) in theprocess of the flowchart of FIG. 14. In step S519, the controller 20feeds the salvage marker (actual), generated by the salvage generator 21in step S518, to the memory 18 for storage from the salvage generator 21through the memory controller 17. Subsequent to the process in stepS519, the algorithm proceeds to step S510 of FIG. 19 to repeat step S510and subsequent steps already discussed.

The recording process of the disk recording and replay apparatus 10 forrecording the salvage marker corresponding to the segment to each of thetwo locations immediately prior to and immediately subsequent to thesegment is thus complete.

As described above, the data restoration process in the recording of thecorresponding salvage markers prior to and subsequent to the segment isidentical to the process illustrated in FIG. 10.

In the above discussion, the audio data and the video data are recordedin that order within one segment on the optical disk 11. Alternatively,the video data and the audio data may be recorded in that order. Data tobe recorded may include data other than the audio data and the videodata. For example, meta data containing information about the audio dataand the video data may be recorded together with the audio data and thevideo data on the optical disk. In the data restoration process, themeta data is also registered in the file system.

The audio data and the video data may be recorded as different files.For example, the audio data and the video data are recorded as separatefiles when the salvage marker relating to the audio data and the videodata is recorded prior to the audio data and the video data as shown inFIG. 5, when the salvage marker is recorded subsequent to the audio dataand the video data corresponding thereto as shown in FIG. 12, or whenthe salvage marker is recorded at both locations prior to and subsequentto the audio data and the video data as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. Anexample of the salvage marker that is recorded prior to the video dataand the audio data corresponding thereto will be discussed later withreference to FIG. 25.

In this case, salvage markers may be recorded respectively for the videodata and the audio data.

FIG. 21 illustrates a recording example of data that is recorded on theoptical disk 11 when the salvage markers are respectively recorded forthe video data and the audio data.

Referring to FIG. 21, the file system 71 is arranged on the left-handside. Recorded apart from the file system 71 are “SA1”, “audio 1”,“SA2”, “video 1”, “SA3”, “audio 2”, “SA4”, and “video 2” in that order.“SA1” represents a salvage marker 1, “audio 1” represents audio data 1,“SA2” represents a salvage marker 2, “video 1” represents video data 1,“SA3” represents a salvage marker 3, “audio 2” represents audio data 2,“SA4” represents a salvage marker 4, and “video 2” represents video data2.

As understood from the comparison of FIG. 21 with FIG. 5, a salvagemarker is arranged in each border between the audio data and the videodata in FIG. 21. The salvage marker 1 contains information relating tothe audio data 1, the salvage marker 2 contains information relating tothe video data 1, the salvage marker 3 contains information relating tothe video data 2, and the salvage marker 4 contains information relatingto the video data 2. To arrange the audio data and the video data indifferent files, identification information for identifying filescontained in the salvage marker 1 and the salvage marker 3 is differentfrom identification information for identifying files contained in thesalvage marker 2 and the salvage marker 4. More specifically, theidentification information for identifying files contained in thesalvage marker 1 and the salvage marker 3 is identification informationfor identifying files of audio data (hereinafter referred to as audiodata files), and the identification information for identifying filescontained in the salvage marker 2 and the salvage marker 4 isidentification information for identifying files of video data(hereinafter to referred to as video data files).

If data is recorded as illustrated in FIG. 21, a recording process isperformed as illustrated in FIG. 22. As understood from the comparisonof a flowchart of FIG. 22 with the flowchart of FIG. 6, the process instep S603 through step S606 in the process represented by the flowchartof FIG. 22 is different from the process in step S103 through step S104in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and the remaining of the process of theflowchart of FIG. 22 is identical to the process of the flowchart ofFIG. 6.

If one segment of data is stored in the memory 18 in step S602 of FIG.22, the salvage generator 21 generates a salvage marker (planned) of thesegment of audio data (for example, audio data 1 in FIG. 21) in stepS603. Although the detailed process in step S603 is identical to theprocess represented by the flowchart of FIG. 7, the salvage generator 21generates the identification information for identifying the audio datafile in step S152 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 if the audio data and thevideo data are organized as different files.

In step S604 subsequent to the process in step S603, the salvage markerand the segment of audio data, generated in step S603, are recorded onthe optical disk 11, and the algorithm proceeds to step S605.

In step S605, the salvage generator 21 generates a salvage marker(planned) of a segment of video data (for example, video data 1 of FIG.21). Although the detailed process in step S605 is identical to theprocess represented by the flowchart of FIG. 7, the salvage generator 21generates the identification information for identifying the video datafile in step S152 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 if the audio data and thevideo data are organized in different files. The identificationinformation for identifying the file generated in step S605 is differentfrom the identification information for identifying the file generatedin step S603.

In step S606 subsequent to the process in step S605, the salvage markerand the segment of video data, generated in step S605, are recorded onthe optical disk 11, and the algorithm proceeds to step S607.

Since the processes in step S601, step S602, step S607, and step S608 inFIG. 22 are respectively identical to the processes in step S101, stepS102, step S105, and step S106 in FIG. 6, the discussion thereof isomitted here.

When the audio data and the video data are organized as different files,the identification information for identifying the audio data file isset to be different from the identification information for identifyingthe video data file. This arrangement allows the disk recording andreplay apparatus to identify what file each segment belongs to in alater data restoration process. Discussed next is the data restorationprocess with the audio data and the video data set in different files.The data restoration process is substantially identical to the processof the flowchart of FIG. 10. However, the process in step S206, i.e., aprocess for updating the file system, is different from the counterpartin the case where the audio data and the video data are organized in thesame file.

A file system updating process with the audio data and the video dataset in different files will now be discussed with a flowchart of FIG.23.

In step S621, the controller 20 reads one salvage marker stored in thememory 18 through the memory controller 17.

In step S622, the controller 20 determines, based on the identificationinformation for identifying the file contained in the salvage markerread in step S621, whether the file of the segment, identified by thesalvage marker, has already been registered in a list of files. If it isdetermined that the file of the segment, identified by the salvagemarker, has not been registered in the list of files, the algorithmproceeds to step S623.

In step S623, the controller 20 adds, to the file list for storage, theidentification information (file name) of the file of the segmentidentified by the salvage marker read in step S621. Then, the algorithmproceeds to step S624.

If the controller 20 determines in step S622 that the file of thesegment, identified by the salvage marker, has been registered in thelist of files, the algorithm proceeds to step S624 with the process instep S623 skipped.

In step S624, the controller 20 classifies the segment identified by thesalvage marker read in step S621 as a segment associated with the file.FIG. 24 illustrates the list of files and the segments associated withthe files.

Referring to FIG. 24, the list of files, i.e., “audio data file” and“video data file” are listed on the left-hand side, and segments arelisted file by file on the right-hand side. Referring more specificallyto FIG. 24, segments “audio 1”, “audio 2”, “audio 3”, . . . areclassified as the audio data files, and segments “video 1”, “video 2”,“video 3”, . . . are classified as the video data files.

In step S625 subsequent to step S624, the controller 20 determineswhether all salvage markers are read from the memory 18. If it isdetermined that any salvage marker remains to be read, the algorithmloops to step S621 to repeat step S621 and subsequent steps.

If the controller 20 determines in step S625 that all salvage markershave been read, the algorithm proceeds to step S626.

In step S626, the controller 20 registers, as a new file in the filesystem 71, the file (the audio data file and the video data file) havingthe segments classified as illustrated in FIG. 24.

Data is restored even when the audio data and the video data areorganized as different files.

In the case of FIGS. 21 through 24, the salvage marker containinginformation relating to the audio data is arranged immediately prior tothat audio data, and the salvage marker containing information relatingto the video data is arranged immediately prior to that video data. Theaudio data and the video data can be recorded as separate files when thesalvage marker containing information relating to the audio data isarranged immediately subsequent to that audio data, and the salvagemarker containing information relating to the video data is arrangedimmediately subsequent to that video data, or when the salvage markerscontaining information relating to the audio data is respectivelyarranged immediately prior to and immediately subsequent to that audiodata, and the salvage markers containing information relating to thevideo data are respectively arranged immediately prior to andimmediately subsequent to that video data.

The audio data and the video data, which are arranged as shown in FIG.5, may be organized in different files. In this case, the salvage markercontains information as shown in FIG. 25.

As understood from the comparison of FIG. 25 with FIG. 8, the salvagemarker of FIG. 25 contains identification information 53-1 foridentifying the audio data file, and identification information 53-2 foridentifying the video data file. Such an arrangement is also possible.

In accordance with the present invention, the data, the recording ofwhich is interrupted and ended with abnormal state, is restored.

In the above discussion, the same disk recording and replay apparatus 10performs the recording process, the restoration execution determinationprocess, the data restoration process, the replay process of the opticaldisk 11, etc. Alternatively, a recording apparatus executing therecording process, a salvage apparatus performing the restorationexecution determination process and the data restoration process, and areplay apparatus replaying an optical disk may be separate apparatuses.More specifically, the recording apparatus, having neither the functionfor performing the restoration execution determination process nor thedata restoration process and the function for replaying the opticaldisk, may perform the recording process illustrated in FIG. 6. Thesalvage apparatus, having no function for performing the recordingprocess and the replay process of the optical disk, may perform therestoration execution determination process illustrated in FIG. 9, andthe data restoration process illustrated in FIG. 10. The replayapparatus, having no function for performing the recording process ofthe optical disk, the restoration execution determination process andthe data restoration process, may perform the replay process of theoptical disk. A recording and replay apparatus, having no function forperforming the restoration execution determination process and the datarestoration process, may perform the recording process and the replayprocess of the optical disk. The recording apparatus, having no functionfor performing the replay function of the optical disk, may perform therecording process, the restoration execution determination process andthe data restoration process. The replay apparatus having no functionfor performing the recording process may perform the restorationexecution determination process, the data restoration process and thereplay process of the optical disk.

In the above discussion, the physical address of the data recorded onthe recording medium (the physical recording position on the recordingmedium) is contained in the salvage marker as information relating tothe recording area (data location information). A logical address (alogical recording position on the recording medium) may be containedinstead of containing the physical address in the salvage marker.

The salvage marker may contain information relating to the recordingposition of the immediately prior salvage marker on the recordingmedium.

The present invention is applicable to a disk-like recording mediumother than the optical disk, and other random-access recording medium(such as a semiconductor memory). As long as data is managed in file,the present invention is applicable to any case in which the data isrecorded onto a recording medium.

In the above discussion, content data, such as audio data and videodata, and a file system (management data for managing the content data)are recorded onto the same recording medium. The present invention isapplicable even if the content data and the file system (managementdata) are not recorded on the same recording medium. For example, in thecase of package media having a disk medium (or a tape medium) and asemiconductor memory in a cartridge, the content data may be recorded onthe disk medium (or the tape medium) while the file system may berecorded on the semiconductor memory. For example, of two apparatusesconnected to a network, one apparatus may hold the content data whilethe other apparatus may hold the file system. The present embodiment maybe applicable to cases, other than the above, in which the content dataand the file system (management data) are not recorded on the samerecording medium.

Although the above-described series of processes are performed usinghardware, the processes may also be performed using software. If theprocesses are performed using software, the function of the diskrecording and replay apparatus 10 is carried out by installing a programconstituting the software in a computer, and by causing the computer toperform the program.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of one embodimentof a computer 101 functioning as the above-referenced disk recording andreplay apparatus 10. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 is connected toan input/output interface 116 through a bus 115. When a user inputs acommand to the CPU 111 through the input/output interface 116 from aninput unit 118 such as a keyboard or a mouse, an RAM (Random-AccessMemory) 113 is loaded with the program which is stored in a recordingmedium such as an ROM (Read-Only Memory) 112, or a hard disk 114, or oneof the recording media inserted into a drive 120, such as a magneticdisk 131, an optical disk 132, or a semiconductor memory 133, forexecution. In this way, a variety of above-described processes areperformed.

The CPU 111 outputs the process results thereof to an output unit 117such as an LCD (Liquid-Crystal Display) through the input/outputinterface 116 as necessary. The program, stored beforehand in the harddisk 114 or the ROM 112, may be supplied together with the computer 101to a user. The program may also be supplied in the magnetic disk 131,the optical disk 132, the semiconductor memory 133, or the like as apackage medium. Alternatively, the program may be supplied to the harddisk 114 through a communication unit 119 via a satellite, a network, orthe like.

Steps describing the program supplied in the recording medium (a programstorage medium) may or may not be sequentially performed as described.If the steps are not performed sequentially, the steps may be performedindividually or in parallel.

In this description, the system is intended to mean all the apparatusesif the system contains a plurality of apparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the first invention, the data can be recorded on therecording medium.

In accordance with the first invention, the data can read from therecording medium, which has failed to end the recording process in anormal state.

In accordance with the second invention, the data can be replayed fromthe recording medium.

In accordance with the second invention, the data can read from therecording medium, which has failed to end the recording process in anormal state.

1. A recording apparatus for recording data managed as files onto arecording medium, comprising: generator means for generating a markerthat contains a recognition pattern set beforehand for each of segmentfiles in which at least one of the files is segmented, and salvageprocessing information that is used in a salvage process of a file thatis recorded on the recording medium but in an unrecognizable state as afile, and recording means for recording the segment file and the markeronto the recording medium so that the segment file and the marker arearranged on the recording medium in a predetermined order, wherein thesalvage processing information contains information indicating a plannedrecording position, on the recording medium, of a following marker thatis recorded on the recording medium in succession to the markercontaining the salvage processing information, wherein, when a defecttakes place at the planned recording position, the following marker isshifted to an actual recording position rightward to the plannedrecording position.
 2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the generator means generates the marker that contains thesalvage processing information for each segment file of the plurality ofsegment files in which each file of the plurality of files is segmented,and the recording means records the plurality of segment filescorresponding to each file of the plurality of files and the marker onthe recording medium in the predetermined order.
 3. A recordingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the salvage processinginformation contains information relating to a recording area of each ofthe segment files.
 4. A recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the salvage processing information contains type informationindicating the type of the data.
 5. A recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the salvage processing information contains informationfor identifying each of the files.
 6. A recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the salvage processing information contains informationrelating to the segment file arranged subsequent to the markercontaining the salvage processing information.
 7. A recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the salvage processing informationcontains information relating to the segment file arranged prior to themarker containing the salvage processing information.
 8. A recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the salvage processinginformation contains information relating to the segment files arrangedprior to and subsequent to the marker containing the salvage processinginformation.
 9. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesalvage processing information contains time information correspondingto a timing of the recording of the marker.
 10. A recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the salvage processing informationcontains information relating to the recording order of the marker. 11.A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information indicating a position, onthe recording medium, of a defect taking place at the recording of thesegment file arranged prior to the marker containing the salvageprocessing information.
 12. A recording method for recording datamanaged as files onto a recording medium, comprising: a generating stepfor generating a marker that contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of segment files in which at least one of the filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, and a recording step for recordingthe segment file and the marker onto the recording medium so that thesegment file and the marker are arranged on the recording medium in apredetermined order, wherein the salvage processing information containsinformation indicating a planned recording position, on the recordingmedium, of a following marker that is recorded on the recording mediumin succession to the marker containing the salvage processinginformation, wherein, when a defect takes place at the planned recordingposition, the following marker is shifted to an actual recordingposition rightward to the planned recording position.
 13. A recordingmethod according to claim 12, wherein the marker that contains thesalvage processing information for each segment file of the plurality ofsegment files in which each file of the plurality of files is segmentedis generated in the generating step, and the plurality of segment filescorresponding to each file of the plurality of files and the marker arerecorded on the recording medium in the predetermined order in therecording step.
 14. A recording method according to claim 13, whereinthe salvage processing information contains information relating to arecording area of each of the segment files.
 15. A recording methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the salvage processing informationcontains type information indicating the type of the data.
 16. Arecording method according to claim 12, wherein the salvage processinginformation contains information for identifying each of the files. 17.A recording method according to claim 12, wherein the salvage processinginformation contains information relating to the segment file arrangedsubsequent to the marker containing the salvage processing information.18. A recording method according to claim 12, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information relating to the segment filearranged prior to the marker containing the salvage processinginformation.
 19. A recording method according to claim 12, wherein thesalvage processing information contains information relating to thesegment files arranged prior to and subsequent to the marker containingthe salvage processing information.
 20. A recording method according toclaim 12, wherein the salvage processing information contains timeinformation corresponding to a timing of the recording of the marker.21. A recording method according to claim 12, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information relating to the recordingorder of the marker.
 22. A recording method according to claim 12,wherein the salvage processing information contains informationindicating a position, on the recording medium, of a defect taking placeat the recording of the segment file arranged prior to the markercontaining the salvage processing information.
 23. A computer-readablemedium storing a program that when executed on a computer causes arecording processing for recording data managed as files onto arecording medium, the program comprising: a generating step forgenerating a marker that contains a recognition pattern set beforehandfor each of segment files in which at least one of the files issegmented, and salvage processing information that is used in a salvageprocess of a file that is recorded on the recording medium but in anunrecognizable state as a file, and a recording control step forcontrolling the recording of the segment file and the marker on therecording medium so that the segment file and the marker are arranged onthe recording medium in a predetermined order, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information indicating a plannedrecording position, on the recording medium, of a following marker thatis recorded on the recording medium in succession to the markercontaining the salvage processing information, wherein, when a defecttakes place at the planned recording position, the following marker isshifted to an actual recording position rightward to the plannedrecording position.
 24. A salvage apparatus comprising: determiningmeans for determining whether a recording process for recording a markerand a segment file on a recording medium in a predetermined order isnormally completed, wherein the marker contains a recognition patternset beforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one offiles is segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, detecting means for detecting atleast one of the markers recorded on the recording medium based on therecognition pattern if the determining means determines that therecording of the file to the recording medium is not normally completed,identifying means for identifying data formed of the same file based onthe salvage processing information contained in the marker, andregistering means for registering the data identified by the identifyingmeans as the data of the same file in a file system, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information indicating a plannedrecording position, on the recording medium, of a following marker thatis recorded on the recording medium in succession to the markercontaining the salvage processing information, wherein, when a defecttakes place at the planned recording position, the following marker isshifted to an actual recording position rightward to the plannedrecording position.
 25. A salvage method comprising: a determining stepfor determining whether a recording process for recording a marker and asegment file on a recording medium in a predetermined order is normallycompleted, wherein the marker contains a recognition pattern setbeforehand for each of the segment files in which at least one of filesis segmented, and salvage processing information that is used in asalvage process of a file that is recorded on the recording medium butin an unrecognizable state as a file, a detecting step for detecting atleast one of the markers recorded on the recording medium based on therecognition pattern if the determining step determines that therecording of the file to the recording medium is not normally completed,an identifying step for identifying data formed of the same file basedon the salvage processing information contained in the marker, and aregistering step for registering the data identified in the identifyingstep as the data of the same file in a file system, wherein the salvageprocessing information contains information indicating a plannedrecording position, on the recording medium, of a following marker thatis recorded on the recording medium in succession to the markercontaining the salvage processing information, wherein, when a defecttakes place at the planned recording position, the following marker isshifted to an actual recording position rightward to the plannedrecording position.
 26. A computer-readable medium storing a programthat when executed on a computer a salvage processing, the programcomprising: a determining step for determining whether a recordingprocess for recording a marker and a segment file on a recording mediumin a predetermined order is normally completed, wherein the markercontains a recognition pattern set beforehand for each of the segmentfiles in which at least one of files is segmented, and salvageprocessing information that is used in a salvage process of a file thatis recorded on the recording medium but in an unrecognizable state as afile, a detecting step for detecting at least one of the markersrecorded on the recording medium based on the recognition pattern if thedetermining means determines that the recording of the file to therecording medium is not normally completed, an identifying step foridentifying data formed of the same file based on the salvage processinginformation contained in the marker, and a registering step forregistering the data identified in the identifying step as the data ofthe same file in a file system, wherein the salvage processinginformation contains information indicating a planned recordingposition, on the recording medium, of a following marker that isrecorded on the recording medium in succession to the marker containingthe salvage processing information, wherein, when a defect takes placeat the planned recording position, the following marker is shifted to anactual recording position rightward to the planned recording position.